Turkmenistan introduces passports with biometric data of their holders

Turkmenistan has introduced new travel passports with biometric data of Turkmen citizens as of 10 July 2008.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a relevant resolution yesterday "with the aim of further strengthening friendship relations with foreign countries and expanding mutually beneficial trade and economic, scientific, technological and cultural partnership with foreign countries, and also ensuring legitimate rights of Turkmen citizens for free travel abroad and back home," the Turkmenistan.ru correspondent in Ashgabat has learned from the press service of the Turkmen president.

At the same time, the current passports of Turkmen citizens are valid for travel abroad and back home up to 10 July 2013.